| Condenser/separator and method -> Monitor Keywords |
|
|
 
Condenser/separator and methodRelated Patent Categories: Refrigeration, Cryogenic Treatment Of Gas Or Gas Mixture, LiquefactionCondenser/separator and method description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060048540, Condenser/separator and method. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] This invention relates to condensers for separating a fluid mixture into a non-condensed gas and a condensed liquid, and in more particular applications, to such condensers as used in connection with fuel cell systems. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Condensers are used in a variety of situations for at least partially condensing a liquid from a fluid mixture. Many condensers, such as those found in automobiles, condense an entirely vapor flow into an entirely liquid flow. Typically, in such condensers, the fluid is a vapor at the inlet and a condensed liquid at the outlet. However, there are also condensers that only partially condense a fluid or condense only one constituent of gas mixture whereby the outlet contains both liquid and gas. [0003] Condensers are also useful in a variety of other applications for recovering a liquid from an exhaust stream. One specific example of where such a condenser may be employed is in combination with a fuel cell system for recovering water from the cathode exhaust of the fuel cell. Specifically, the cathode exhaust from a polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cell contains water that was input into the system for humidification as well as water that was produced by the electrochemical reactions within the fuel cell itself. [0004] Most PEM fuel cells combine hydrogen gas on the anode side with oxygen on the cathode side to create water while harnessing electrons to create electricity. The reaction on the anode side of the fuel cell is [H.sub.22H.sup.++2e.sup.-]. The hydrogen ions permeate across the separating membrane while the electrons pass through an electronic circuit over to the cathode side. At the cathode side of the fuel cell the reaction is [2H.sup.++2e.sup.-+1/2O.sub.2.fwdarw.H.sub.2O] whereby the hydrogen ions, electrons and oxygen combine to create water. Therefore, the overall reaction theoretically produces one molecule of water per molecule of hydrogen. [0005] Furthermore, fuel cells generally require water, in the form of humidification, for optimal performance of the membrane used in each fuel cell. Typically, one or both sides of the fuel cell, the anode and the cathode, are humidified via the respective inlet flows to maintain the hydrogen ion permeation from the anode to the cathode. Generally, air is utilized as the source of oxygen for the electrochemical reaction on the cathode side of the fuel cell, and for that reason a significant amount of water must also be used to maintain the appropriate level of humidification. A significant amount of water is required because the flow rate of air required is generally large compared to a pure oxygen flow to achieve the reaction required amount of oxygen, and/or because water overspray may be required and collected at cathode exhaust. Therefore, the fuel cell itself requires a significant amount of humidification to operate. [0006] As alluded to previously, the fuel cell creates water as a product of the electrochemical reaction. Therefore, not only does the cathode exhaust have water from the inlet humidification, but the fuel cell produces water as well. To maximize the efficiency of the fuel cell system, it is desirable to recover the water from the cathode exhaust to use for humidification and/or for cooling in other parts of the fuel cell system. [0007] In this regard, condensers are frequently employed to recover water from the cathode exhaust. Because the temperature of the condensed and entrained water may be higher than the desired temperature, others have chosen to combine a condenser in series with a liquid cooler. [0008] However, using a condenser in series with a liquid cooler contributes to pressure drops through the multiple units. Additionally, even with an upstream water separator, the pressure drop can be too great, possibly requiring additional pumps. These additional pumps add to overall parasitic losses and decrease overall system efficiency. Additionally, multiple units require additional space. As fuel cell systems attempt to become smaller and smaller for automobile applications and the like, it is desirable to provide a smaller condensing unit. Therefore, there exists the need for a cathode exhaust condenser, a liquid/gas separator and liquid cooler that minimize gas pressure losses and/or minimize overall space requirements SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0009] In accordance with one feature of the invention, a condenser is provided for separating a fluid mixture into a condensed liquid and a non-condensed gas. The condenser includes a vertical inlet manifold to receive the gas mixture, a vertical outlet manifold, a gas flow path fluidly connected to the inlet manifold and the outlet manifold to direct a gas flow from the inlet manifold to the outlet manifold in heat exchange relation to a cooling fluid flow, and a liquid flow path fluidly connected to the inlet manifold and the outlet manifold to direct a liquid flow between the inlet manifold and the outlet manifold in heat exchange relation to the cooling fluid flow. The condenser also includes a gas outlet fluidly connected to the outlet manifold to permit the non-condensed gas to exit the condenser and a liquid outlet fluidly connected to one of the manifolds to permit the condensed liquid to exit the air cooled condenser. [0010] According to one feature, the liquid flow path includes a plurality of passes. [0011] According to one feature, the vertical inlet manifold has an upper portion and a lower portion while the vertical outlet manifold has an upper and a lower portion and the condenser further includes a liquid level separating the upper portions from the lower portions in each of the manifolds. [0012] According to one feature, the condenser is a cathode exhaust condenser for separating a cathode exhaust into a condensed liquid and a non-condensed gas. [0013] According to one feature, the liquid outlet comprises a stand pipe. [0014] According to one feature, the vertical location of the liquid level is defined by a vertical height of the stand pipe. [0015] According to one feature, the liquid outlet is located at the outlet manifold. [0016] According to one feature, the condenser further includes a baffle with an opening defining a gas bleed located in the lower portion of the inlet manifold. [0017] In accordance with one feature, the gas flow path comprises a first plurality of tubes and the liquid flow path comprises a second plurality of tubes located below the first plurality of tubes. [0018] According to one feature, the liquid flow path is divided by at least one baffle in one of the manifolds to provide a plurality of passes. [0019] In accordance with one feature, a method is provided for separating a fluid mixture into a condensed liquid and a non-condensed gas in a condenser including the steps of: [0020] flowing the fluid mixture into an inlet manifold; [0021] separating the fluid mixture into a gas flow and a liquid flow in the inlet manifold; Continue reading about Condenser/separator and method... Full patent description for Condenser/separator and method Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Condenser/separator and method patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Condenser/separator and method or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Freezer apparatus Next Patent Application: Earring hinge construction Industry Class: Refrigeration ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Condenser/separator and method patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 0.33558 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Software: Finance , AI , Databases , Development , Document , Navigation , Error 174 |
 * Protect your Inventions * US Patent Office filing 
PATENT INFO |
|
